Adjustable platform for traffic direction



Aug. 18, 1953 c. w. STEPLER ADJUSTABLE PLATFORM FOR TRAFFIC DIRECTIONS Filed Nov. 2, 1949 will mlm!!!mummia!!! ZHHUMIA 57 INVENTOR.

C. H. STEPLER FIG 5 ATTGR'REV Patented Aug. 18, 1953 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE PLATFORM FOR TRAFFIC DIRECTION Charles W. Stepler, Chambersburg, Pa.

Application November 2, 1949, Serial No. 125,135 6 Claims. (Cl. 304-29) This invention relates to a platform for directing traffic and more particularly to means whereby such a platform, when not in use, may be lowered to a position fiush with the surface of the roadway or intersection thereof, so as not to interfere with or comprise an obstruction to the free movement of traflic.

The occupational hazards of police officers and other individuals directing traflic continue to increase, particularly where such directing is accomplished, of necessity, from a position on a level with the roadway. Statistics reveal that many hundreds of such persons suffer injuries annually either through errors in judgment on the part of drivers of motor vehicles or by reason of various forms of reckless driving.

It has further been discovered that not only is the position of the traffic director standing on the roadway particularly vulnerable but, except where such individuals are of unusual heights, they are not readily discernible, especially during heavy movement of traffic and on relatively narrow highways or intersections.

The .advantages of a raised platform to elevate the trafc officer or other individual above the level of the roadway are too numerous to require particular discussion, however, since there are but extremely few places where continuous direction is required, the existence of such a structure as a permanent installation has generally been frowned upon and considered a needless traiiic obstruction during many hours, generally the greater part of the combined day and night, and one which interfered with the smooth flow of trafc.

In many localities portable platforms are provided, designed for ready and convenient movement to appropriate positions substantially in the centers of busy street or other roadway intersections. However, such platforms, by the very nature of the portable characteristics thereof, are far from substantial or sturdy structures and do not provide adequate protection to the traino director since they are not possessed of sufficient rigidity or weight to withstand :an impact from a motor or other vehicle without transmitting the shock to an individual standing thereon.

It is accordingly a major purpose of the present invention to provide a platform for directing traffic which, when not in use may be lowered to a substantially concealed position flush with the surface of the roadway so :as not to interfere with normal flow of traiiic.

It is a further object of the invention to provide novel means for raising and lowering a trafiic directing platform from a position iiush with the roadway to a selective height thereabove, in accordance with the stature of the traliic director.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a platform of the class set forth including a guard rail to assist in the convenient and steady support of the traffic director, operative mechanism being provided to raise and support said guard rail above the level of the platform simultaneously with the elevation of the platform above the level of the roadway.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a platform of the class set forth ywhich will be particularly sturdy, providing a rigid structure when elevated, which may be lowered to a concealed position except for the top thereof flush with the surface of the roadway when not in use, which will be simple in operation and economical of manufacture, and which will be substantially proof against deterioration by reason of weather conditions.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a traflic directing platform constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2, :a vertical sectional view through the novel platform and illustrating a portion of the surrounding roadway;

Fig. 3, a vertical sectional view through the novel platform, similar to Fig. 2, but illustrating the platform in elevated position;

Fig. 4, a fragmentary sectional View, taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5, a fragmentary vertical sectional View through the platform shaft or housing, illustrating a modified form of operative mechanism; and,

Fig. 6, avertical sectional View through the platform, parts being broken away, illustrating a still further modified form of operative mechanism.

With continued reference to the drawing, there has been illustrated a portion of a roadway R, in which there has been sunk an appropriate shaft S of a sufficient depth and diameter to house the novel traffic directing platform of the present invention and its associated operative mechanism.

Preferably the shaft S is provided with a suitable metallic lining or sleeve lll having a closed bottom wall I l provided with a drain i2. A collar I3 is seated upon the upper extremity of the sleeve IB, or may be formed integrally therewith as a peripheral flange, and the upper surface of this collar is preferably flush with the surface of the roadway. Collar and sleeve have been illustrated as of circular or cylindrical conformation, however, any other suitable configuration may be employed with equal facility. As will be more readily apparent from an examination of Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing, the collar is. formed with an annular recess Ifl comprising a peripheral seat for the platform proper, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

The traffic directing platform I5, which is preferably metallic and of sucient thickness to support a substantial weight as well as withstand the pressure of trailic moving thereover when the platform is flush with the roadway and not in use, includes a downwardly depending skirt I6 of a suitable cross sectional conformation so as to iit snugly within the sleeve I0. This skirt is of sufficient height that the lower extremity thereof will remain engaged within the sleeve I8 even when the platform is elevated to its, maximum height, as indicated in Fig. 3 of the drawing. Further, this skirt, which may 'be formed integrally with the platform proper, is of suicient inherent strength and rigidity that it will not be damaged in the event that it be accidentally or otherwise struck by a vehicle or other object.

When the platform is in lowered position, it seats within the annular recess I4, a snug t being provided to substantially .prevent any undue drainage of water, as from rain, snow or the like, into the sleeve I In like manner, when the platform is in elevated position, the snug iit between the skirt and the inner periphery of the sleeve ID and collar i3, also prevents drainage into the sleeve.

Any suitable means may be provided for raising and lowering the traffic directing platform. In the form of the invention disclosed in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing, such means or mechanism has been illustrated as of hydraulic character. Preferably the platform I is supported upon a centrally located rod o-r piston I'I which is receivable within a cylinder I8 supported upon or formed integrally with the bottom wall II of Athe sleeve iB. Fluid pressure may be provided from any suitable source, as for example, an electric motor i9 connected to a pump or the like 20. An inlet conduit 2l connects the pump 20 toa suitable source of fluid supply 22 andan outlet connection 23 is provided between the pump and the cylinder. Preferably the motor I8 receives current from a remote source (not shown) and a suitable switch, also not shown, may be installed or positioned upon a 4corner of the intersection immediately adjacent the point where the traffic platform is located. Energization ofthe motor I9 will pump fluid into the cylinder I 8, elevating the piston I7 and carrying the platform I5 therewith. When the platform has lbeen raised to the desired height, the source of current may be cut off. Automatic shut off means, as will be hereinafter more fully described, are also provided, to cut off the motor I9 when the platform has reached a maximum height. Reversal of the motor, with resulting lowering of the platform, may also be accomplished at the point of remote control (not shown) as is well known in this art.

It has. been found in practice that an elevation of from approximately two to three feet above the roadway is desirable both from the point of view of providing maximum visibility to both operators of vehicles and trame director as well as to place the traffic director a suflicient distance above the roadway level to adequately protect him from any possibility of injury from oncoming vehicles, the rigidity of the skirt IB of the platform I5 being such as to insure the withstanding of any reasonable impact.

To protect the trado director from inadvertently stepping off or falling from the platform I5 a partially encircling railing 2li is. provided.

When the platform is in normal lowered position, the railing 24 seats snugly within a recess or groove 25 provided in the upper surface of the platform, however, when the platform is elevated, the railing 2s rises thereabove to a suitable height, as indi-cated in Fig. 3 of the drawing. Any form of mechanism may be provided, operable, if desired, 'by the raising and lowering of the platform per se, for properly controlling the movementA of the railing 2li. One form of such mechanism has been illustrated as a vertically disposed Shaft 25 supported within a bearing El carried upon the lower surface of the platform i5, the cylinder I8 being provided with a boss or the like 28 through which the shaft 25 extends. Preferably the shaft 25 has a spiral spline 29 formed thereon and the boss 23 is provided with a complementary spiral groove within which this spline engages. A bevel gear or the like 30 is mounted upon the shaft 26, above the boss 2B, and meshes with a complementary bevel gear 3l mounted upon one extremity of a horizontally disposed stub shaft 32 journalled within a suitable bearing 33 carried upon the lower surface of the platform i5. A pinion or gear S4 is mounted upon the opposite extremity of the stub shaft 52 and engages with the teeth 35 of a rack 33 which depends from the railing 25, projecting through a suitable aperture in the platform I5. From an examination of Figs. 2, 3, and 4 of the drawing it will be obvious that as the platform is elevated by reason of fluid pressure upon the piston il within the cylinder I8, rotative force will be imparted to the shaft 26 by reason of the spiral spline 29 thereof engaging within the spiral groove in the boss 2B. Such rotative movement will be transmitted to the pinion 34 which, engaging with the teeth 35 of the rack 35i, will elevate the railing above the .platform l5 simultaneous with the raising of the platform above the level of the roadway.

Preferably the railing 2d is provided with a depending bar or the like 3i, positioned in opposed relation to the rack 35, which depends through asuitable bearing 38 mounted upon the lower face of the platform l5. A cut-out switch 39, in circuit with the electric motor Il! through the conductors 4i), is mounted upon the bearing 38 and one of the contacts of this switch is provided with an extension or button fil which depends therebeneath. A stop l2 is secured to the bar 3i and, when the said bar reaches the limit of its upper movement, as indicated more particularly in Fig. 3 of the drawing, the stop 42 engages the button 4I and opens the switch 3d, shutting off electric current from the motor I9 and preventing further elevation of the platform I5 and railing 2t.

When the platform I5 is in lowered position, flush with the surface of the roadway, it rests securely within the seat or recess I and is supported thereupon. Further, the guard rail 2li is securely seated within the recess 25, and vehicular or other traffic may pass over the lowered platform with complete freedom and withdiagrammatically at 41 to a pinion 48 which engages with the rack 43.V The pinion 48 lis mounted upon a stub shaft 4S which vis journalled in bearings 50 positioned within ears or lugs 5I carried by the cylinder I8.

The motor 45, similar to the motor I9 of the form of invention disclosed in Figs. l through 4 of the drawing, is suitably connected to a source of electrical energy and is intended to be controlled by an appropriate switch, remotely positioned, as on the corner of the intersection where the'trafiic platform may be installed.

Modified means for elevating the guard rail 24 has been illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawing, the remaining structure and mechanism being substantially identical whether hydraulic or mechanical elevating means are employed. In the form disclosed in this figure of the drawing, the guard rail 24 is provided with opposed depending supporting hars 52 which project through suitable apertures formed in the platform proper. The ycylinder I8 is provided with a pair of opposed ears or lugs 53, apertured as at 54, and a exible cable or the like 55 is secured at one end thereof to the lower extremity 5B of each bar 52. The opposite extremity of each cable 55 is passed through an aperture 54 in the related lug 53 and prevented from removal therefrom by any suitable securing means as indicated at 51. For ready functioning, pairs of pulleys 58 are secured to the lower face of the platform I5 and each cable 55 is intended to pass over a pair of such pulleys. It will be obvious, from an examination of this figure of the drawing that, when the platform I5 is elevated, the securing means for the cables 55 will engage the lower surfaces of the lugs 53 and a force will thus be exerted upon the extremities 55 of the bars 52. This for-ce, pulling in nature, will raise the guard rail to its proper position, simultaneously with the elevation of the platform I5 above the level of the roadway. In this form of the invention, the automatic cut-olf switch 39 is positioned upon the lower surface of the platform I5 so that a stop 42 carried upon one of the bars 5,2 may engage the projecting button 4I (indicated in Figure 2) of a spring element of said switch.

There has thus been described a novel traflic directing platform which is particularly economical of manufacture, installation and operation. In lowered position, the platform will in no manner interfere with free flow of trac and, when elevated to a suitable height, an individual standing thereon will be adequately protected against injury from approaching vehicles. The height to which the platform may be elevated is selectively adjustable, in accordance With the desires or stature of the traffic director, and automatic means are provided to insure against any excessive elevation thereof. Operative mechanism is completely concealed beneath the surface of the roadway'and essentially protected against damage by the elements. The platform is espe? cially sturdy and so constructed as to provide a substantial structure which may not be readily damaged, when in elevated position, by collision or otherwise.

It will be obvious to those skilled in this art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawing and described in the specification but only as indicated in the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:

Y l. In a supporting platform for trac direction mounted for vertical movement within a shaft disposed below the surface of a roadway, a vertically disposed sleeve lining said shaft, a closed bottom wall on said sleeve, a drain in said bottom wall, a collar supported upon said sleeve, the upper surface of said collar being flush with the surface of the roadway, an annular seat in said collar, a platform seated within said annular seat, thev upper surface of said platform being flush with the surface of said roadway, a skirt depending from said platform and adapted to slidably engage the inner surface of said sleeve, a centrally located and vertically disposed cylinder within said sleeve, a centrally located piston depending from said platform and slidably disposed within said cylinder, fluid pressure means operatively connected to said cylinder beneath said piston for raising and lowering said piston and platform, a partially encircling vertically reciprocable guard rail for said platform normally seated within a recess formed in the upper surface thereof, supporting bars depending from said guard rail through said platform and into said sleeve, a rack on one of said supporting bars, a pinion for engaging said rack, driving means for said pinion comprising a vertically disposed shaft depending from said platform, a lug on said cylinder slidably engaging said shaft, a spiral spline on said shaft, a complementary spiral spline in said lug engaging said first mentioned spline, gearing for transmitting rotative movement from said shaft to the pinion engaging the rack on the supporting bar whereby said guard rail will be raised and lowered from a position Within the recess in said platform to a position thereabove simultaneously with the raising and lowering of said platform, and a cut-olf switchmounted upon the other supporting bar operable to disconnect said fluid pressure means when said platform has reached a maximum height.

2. In a supporting platform for trallc direction mounted for vertical movement within a shaft disposed below the surface of a roadway, a vertically disposed sleeve lining said shaft, a closed bottom wall o-n said sleeve, a drain in said bottom wall, a collar supported upon said sleeve, the upper surface of said collar being flush with the surface of the roadway, an annular seat in said collar, a platform seated within said annular seat, the upper surface of said platform being flush with the surface of said roadway, a skirt depending from said platform and adapted t0 slidably engage the inner surface of said sleeve, a centrally located and vertically disposed cylinder within said sleeve, a centrally located piston depending from said platform and slidably disposed within said cylinder, means operatively connected to said piston for raising and lowering said piston and platform, a partially encircling vertically reciprocable guard rail for said platform normally seated within a recess formed in the upper surface thereof, supporting bars depending from said guard rail through said platform and into said sleeve, a rack on one offsaid supporting bars, a pinion for engaging said rack, driving means for said pinion comprising a vertically disposed shaft depending from said platform, a lug on said cylinder slidably engaging said shaft, a spiral spline on said shaft, a complementary spiral spline in said lug engaging said rst mentioned spline, and gearing for transmitting rotative movement from said shaft to the pinion engaging the rack on the supporting bar whereby said guard rail will be raised and lowered from a position within the recess in said platform to aposition thereabove simultaneously with the raising and lowering of said platform.

3. In a supporting platform for traffic direction Vmounted for vertical movement within a shaft disposed below the Surface of a roadway, a'vertically disposed sleeve lining said shaft, a collar supported upon the said sleeve, the upper surface of said collar being flush with the surface of the roadway, an annular seat in said cellar, a platform seated within said annular seat, the upper surface of said platform being ush with the surface of `said roadway, a skirt depending from said platform and adapted'to slidably engage the innersurface of said sleeve, a centrally located and vertically disposed cylinder within said sleeve, a centrally located piston depending from said platform and slidably disposed Within said cylinder, means operatively connected to said piston for raising and lowering said piston and platform, a partially encircling vertically reciprocable guard rail for said platform normally seated Within a recess formed in the upper surface thereof, supporting bars depending from said guard rail through said platform and into said sleeve, a rack on one of said supporting bars, a pinion for engaging said rack, driving means for said pinion .comprising a vertically disposed shaft depending from said platform, a lug on said cylinder slidably engaging said shaft, a spiral spline on said shaft, a complementary spline in said lug engaging said first mentioned spline, and gearing for transmitting rotative movement from said shaft to the pinion engaging the rack on the supporting bar whereby said guard rail will be raised and lowered from 5.

a position within the recess in said Platform to a position thereabove simultaneously with the raising and lowering ofsaid platform. Y

4. In a supporting platform for traffic direction mounted for vertical movement within a shaft disposed below the surface of a roadway, a vertically disposed sleeve iining said shaft, a platform normally seated upon the upper end of said sleeve, the upper surface of said platform being flush with the upper surface of said roadway, a skirt depending from said platform and adapted to slidably engage the inner surface of said sleeve, a centrally located and vertically disposedcylinder within said sleeve, centrally located piston depending from said platform and slidably disposed within said cylinder, means operatively connected to said piston for raising and lowering said piston and platform, a partially encircling guard rail for said platform normally seated with a recess formed in the upper surface thereof, supporting bars depending from said guard rail through, said platform and into said sleeve, a rack on o'ne of said supporting bars, a pinion for engaging said rack, driving means for said pinion comprising a vertically disposed shaft depending from said platform, a. lug onv said cylinder slidably engaging said shaft, a spiral spline on said shaft, a complementary spline in said lug engaging said first mentioned spline, and gearing for transmitting rotative movement from said shaft to the pinion engaging the rack on the supporting bar whereby said guard rail will be raised and lowered from a position within said recess to a position thereabove simultaneously with the raising and lowering of said platform.

5. In a supporting platform for traffic direction mounted for vertical movement within a shaft disposed below the surface of a roadway, a vertically disposed sleeve lining said shaft, a platform normally seated upon the upper end of said sleeve, the upper surface of said platform being fiush with the upper surface of the roadway, a centrally located and vertically disposed cylinder within said sleeve, a centrally located piston depending from saidplatform and slidably disposed within said cylinder, means operatively connected to the piston for raising and lowering said piston and platform, a partially encircling guard rail forl said platform normally seated within a recess formed in the upper surface of the platform, supporting bars depending from said guard rail and extending through said piatform, a rack on one of said supporting bars, a pinion for engaging said rack, driving means for said pinion comprising a vertically disposed shaft depending from said platform, a lug on said cylinder slidably engaging said shaft, a spiral spline on said shaft, a complementary spline in said lug engaging said first mentioned spline, and gearing for transmitting rotative movement from said shaft to the pinion engaging the rack on the supporting bar whereby said guard rail will be raised and lowered from a position within the recess in the platform to a position thereabcve simultaneously with the raising and lowering of said platform.

6. In a supporting platform for tramo direction mounted for vertical movement within a shaft disposed below the surface of a roadway, a vertically disposed sleeve lining said shaft, a platform normally seated upon the upper end of said sleeve with the upper surface of said platform substantially flush with the surface of the roadway, a centrally located and vertically disposed cylinder within the sleeve, a piston depending from said platform and slidably disposed within said cylinder, means operatively connected to the piston for raising and lowering said piston and platform, a guard rail for said platform normally disposed in a position substantially flush with the upper surface of said platform, supporting bars depending from said guard rail and through said platform, a rack on one of said supporting bars, a pinion engaging said rack, driving means for said pinion comprising a vertically disposed shaft depending from said platformy a lug on the cylinder slidably engaging said shaft, a spiral spline on said shaft, a complementary spiral spline in said lug engaging said rstmentioned spline, and gearing for transmitting rotative movement from said shaft to the pinion engaging the rack on the supporting bar whereby said guard rail will be raised and lowered from a normally retracted position to a position above the platform simultaneously with the raising and lowering of said platform.

CHARLES W. STEPLER.

(References on following page) References Cited in the file of this patent Number UNITED STATES PATENTS gfg Number Name Date 2:327400 277,049 Mickey May 3, 1333. r 2341463 533,597 Hughes Feb. 5, 1895 661,226 Pos1'J Nov. 6, 1900 766,559 Webber et a1. Aug. 2, 1904 Number 946,403 Seymour Jan. 11, 1910 45,574 968,501 Turner et a1 Aug. 23, 1910 lo 492,111 1,012,246 Clarks et a1. Dec. 19, 1911 Name Date Reichard Mar. 13, 1917 Holden Feb. 20, 1934 Canepa et a1 Aug. 24, 1943 Maytham, Jr Feb. 8, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Austria, Jan. 10, 1911 Great Britain Sept. 15, 1938 

